The Islamic Art World, is an, Art World, unknown, to most really, due, to the difficulty, in categorizing it. To fully expand on this though, one, in many ways, should, realize, that there, is a difference, between, the Middle East, and, the Islamic world. That the Middle East, mainly, refers, to a world, consisting, of, Islamic Mysticism, Islam (Islam, Sharia, Sufism & 'the Next Big thing'), and finally, Gargoyles & Jinnis.
The Islamic world though, is different, having, its roots, in, the Byzantine world, and extending, even, backwards, to the fusing, of, the Civilizations, of, Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, together [in many ways, this, fusion, resulting in, Byzantine, has, Egypt being an inspiration, as with, Art, and Mesopotamia, being, an inspiration, as with, structures]. What though, can be, referred to as, the Islamic world, consists, of, 5 main elements, that, define those, who live in it:
Islamic Knowledge:
Islamic Knowledge, is a rather, large, unknown field, that, consists really of, Islamic Science, Islamic Medicine, and even, Islamic Technology & Inventions. A huge field, mostly, popularized, in, the Byzantine Era, but still, very much, in existence, today. An interesting field, of Knowledge accumulation, in that, unlike, in the Western world, where, Knowledge accumulation, is, based on, heavy Group research, in the Islamic/Byzantine world, Knowledge accumulation, was, based, on, Individual research [think Galileo Galilei here, who though, is often, shown, as being, Western, but was really, Byzantine/Islamic] [Italians, as great inventors, of all kinds, have, their, roots too, in the, Islamic world, and not, European].
Islamic Culture:
Islamic culture, refers really, to, all forms, of, Cultural Formations, seen, in the Islamic world. Smoking shisha, or even, Coffee houses, are, in many ways, the Cultural Formations, seen (or were seen), in, the Islamic/Byzantine world. In many ways really too, Cultural Formations, rather, Individual in nature, but, very similar though, to, those seen, in, France (a world, of individuals, crossing, paths, with each other, with, the most, wonderful, of stories, to tell). In many ways too, giving rise, to, all forms, of Literature (and other Art works too), the most famous perhaps, being, the Arabian Nights.
Islamic Art/Architecture:
Islamic Architecture, is rather, reknowed, and known too, as, with the example, of, the Alhambra, the Taj Mahal, and, the basic Designs, associated, with most, Mosques, out there. Islamic Art though, is not, too, well known, and does, differ, from, the Egyptian Art World, seen in the Middle East (and heavily associated, with, Sufi Dance). More though, will be written, on, Islamic Art, below.
Ancestor Veneration:
Ancestor Veneration, is what, unites, all, Islamic people together; whether, they be, white or black, or Jew or Christian. In all, Ancestor Veneration, is, at the very heart, of, the Islamic World, as, the Islamic World, is one, that, has been, created, mainly, by, Individuals. In all, it can be said, that, to be Islamic, is to engage, in the veneration, of, the various Ancestor Figures, that, have lived before, and, to attempt too, to live, as, they did live. But what really, makes, for an Islamic Ancestor, is, that, they lived, by, the laws, of, the Byzantine Orthodox Church (most commonly known being, Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and even, Russian Orthodox). In many ways too, this gives, the, Islamic world, a, Christian substratum, and leads too, to the, understanding, of Islam, as, a Philosophy really (on living Life) [The Mohammedans, who are, falsely believed, to be, at the core, of Islam, are actually, Islamic, and perhaps, can be, associated, with a 'cult', geared, towards, Prophet Mohammed (as with, all, his teachings)].
The Feminine Principle:
Umma, is the, Feminine Principle, as defined, in the Islamic world, but having, its, origins (as with, conceptualization really), in, Ancient Mesopotamia [in all, Umma, can be, conceptualized, rather differently]. Umma, in the Islamic world, was, at the heart, of, creating, nearly all, its, Structures, and especially too, including, the Family structure. In many ways, Umma, defined, the Islamic world, as, a People, and a Government (of sorts) too [as really, with, Political Structures]. Today though, one finds, that, the Islamic world, is, somewhat, inactive, due mainly, to, the inexistence, of, Umma, as a Guiding Principle, with regards, to, Family life. In the Islamic world, Family existence and, survival too, was very, much, guided, by, Umma, and if for instance, one, did not, have, any work to live by, it was too, Umma (as a Guiding principle), they turned too. In many ways too, Family work, consisted, of, Individuals, attempting, to manifest, new Knowledge (as with, Islamic Knowledge), and benefit, from it.
That in all, makes up, for, what, they call, the Islamic world, and has, its very foundation, in, what, they call, the 5 Pillars of Islam:
1. Testimony of Faith (Islamic Knowledge)
2. Almsgiving/Zakah (Islamic culture)
3. Fasting/Sawm (Islamic Art/Architecture)
4. Prayer/Solat (Ancestor Veneration)
5. Pilgrimage/Haji (Umma)
The Islamic Art World:
As mentioned before, the, Islamic Art World, is one, that is hard (and difficult too), to categorize, and even, characterize [due mainly, to it, being, of the Baroque, nature (as in, rather, individual)]. In many ways, the, Islamic Art World, should not, be, confused, with, the Egyptian Art World (seen, in the, Middle East), or even, Art movements, like, the Arabe Art movement [the fusion, of Islamic Art, and, European Art].
Islamic Art, is much, older, than that, and going back, to, the Byzantine Era, and perhaps, with, Music too, is, best represented, by, the various Church Hymns, heard today. It is really, a rather, hard, Art World, to characterize, but, a few examples, will be, given, to attempt, to show, not only, its existence, but also, its rather, Individual nature (making it, in some ways, a Heritage, of sorts) [for instance, Church Hymns, are written, by, individual Priests, and not, by the Church].
You have,
1. Islamic Poetry: Most famous perhaps, being, the works, of, Islamic Mystic, Kabir.
2. Islamic Art: Most famous being, Paintings, associated, with, the Byzantine Era.
3. Islamic Music: A rather wide area, with, one end, consisting, of, Church Hymns (and Chants too), and on, the other hand, various works, on, String Instruments, resembling, the Guitar (which too, has, its origins, in, the Islamic World).
4. Islamic Cuisine: Rather, too famous, but perhaps, too, its often, association, with, the discovery, of, Coffee.
5. Islamic Calligraphy.
6. Islamic Dance: the most famous, perhaps, being, Egyptian Belly dancing.
In all, an Art World, very much, in, existence, but rather, hard too, to, categorize, due, to its, rather, Individual nature.
A rather dynamic Art World, in nature too, as it very much, allows, for the borrowing, of various, principles, from, other Art movements [in many ways, influenced in all, by, Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, European and even, North African cultures]. It is also, rather, adaptable, to other, cultures (making, for the fast, spread, of the Islamic world), and some, of the, better examples (popularly known), include, some, of the music, of Prince (the Gold song), and even, the dancing (and music), of both, MC Hammer, and Ludacris (who are really too, from, the Islamic world) [Princes' music, appears, to be heavily, influenced, by, Islamic Spain, while, Hammers dancing, and Ludacris' too, also, very much, originate, from, Islamic Spain] [Islamic Spain, was, a rather, wild world, and, in many ways, helped forment, the, division, between, the Islamic world, and, what some call, Christendom] [Former Rap act, Bell Biv Devoe, also, have, their roots, in, the Islamic world, and, associated, with a group, of people, known, as the Zanj (today though, whose, history, has been rewritten, by, the Western world, as, the history, of, slavery, in the Islamic world)].
The Islamic world though, is different, having, its roots, in, the Byzantine world, and extending, even, backwards, to the fusing, of, the Civilizations, of, Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, together [in many ways, this, fusion, resulting in, Byzantine, has, Egypt being an inspiration, as with, Art, and Mesopotamia, being, an inspiration, as with, structures]. What though, can be, referred to as, the Islamic world, consists, of, 5 main elements, that, define those, who live in it:
Islamic Knowledge:
Islamic Knowledge, is a rather, large, unknown field, that, consists really of, Islamic Science, Islamic Medicine, and even, Islamic Technology & Inventions. A huge field, mostly, popularized, in, the Byzantine Era, but still, very much, in existence, today. An interesting field, of Knowledge accumulation, in that, unlike, in the Western world, where, Knowledge accumulation, is, based on, heavy Group research, in the Islamic/Byzantine world, Knowledge accumulation, was, based, on, Individual research [think Galileo Galilei here, who though, is often, shown, as being, Western, but was really, Byzantine/Islamic] [Italians, as great inventors, of all kinds, have, their, roots too, in the, Islamic world, and not, European].
Islamic Culture:
Islamic culture, refers really, to, all forms, of, Cultural Formations, seen, in the Islamic world. Smoking shisha, or even, Coffee houses, are, in many ways, the Cultural Formations, seen (or were seen), in, the Islamic/Byzantine world. In many ways really too, Cultural Formations, rather, Individual in nature, but, very similar though, to, those seen, in, France (a world, of individuals, crossing, paths, with each other, with, the most, wonderful, of stories, to tell). In many ways too, giving rise, to, all forms, of Literature (and other Art works too), the most famous perhaps, being, the Arabian Nights.
Islamic Art/Architecture:
Islamic Architecture, is rather, reknowed, and known too, as, with the example, of, the Alhambra, the Taj Mahal, and, the basic Designs, associated, with most, Mosques, out there. Islamic Art though, is not, too, well known, and does, differ, from, the Egyptian Art World, seen in the Middle East (and heavily associated, with, Sufi Dance). More though, will be written, on, Islamic Art, below.
Ancestor Veneration:
Ancestor Veneration, is what, unites, all, Islamic people together; whether, they be, white or black, or Jew or Christian. In all, Ancestor Veneration, is, at the very heart, of, the Islamic World, as, the Islamic World, is one, that, has been, created, mainly, by, Individuals. In all, it can be said, that, to be Islamic, is to engage, in the veneration, of, the various Ancestor Figures, that, have lived before, and, to attempt too, to live, as, they did live. But what really, makes, for an Islamic Ancestor, is, that, they lived, by, the laws, of, the Byzantine Orthodox Church (most commonly known being, Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and even, Russian Orthodox). In many ways too, this gives, the, Islamic world, a, Christian substratum, and leads too, to the, understanding, of Islam, as, a Philosophy really (on living Life) [The Mohammedans, who are, falsely believed, to be, at the core, of Islam, are actually, Islamic, and perhaps, can be, associated, with a 'cult', geared, towards, Prophet Mohammed (as with, all, his teachings)].
The Feminine Principle:
Umma, is the, Feminine Principle, as defined, in the Islamic world, but having, its, origins (as with, conceptualization really), in, Ancient Mesopotamia [in all, Umma, can be, conceptualized, rather differently]. Umma, in the Islamic world, was, at the heart, of, creating, nearly all, its, Structures, and especially too, including, the Family structure. In many ways, Umma, defined, the Islamic world, as, a People, and a Government (of sorts) too [as really, with, Political Structures]. Today though, one finds, that, the Islamic world, is, somewhat, inactive, due mainly, to, the inexistence, of, Umma, as a Guiding Principle, with regards, to, Family life. In the Islamic world, Family existence and, survival too, was very, much, guided, by, Umma, and if for instance, one, did not, have, any work to live by, it was too, Umma (as a Guiding principle), they turned too. In many ways too, Family work, consisted, of, Individuals, attempting, to manifest, new Knowledge (as with, Islamic Knowledge), and benefit, from it.
That in all, makes up, for, what, they call, the Islamic world, and has, its very foundation, in, what, they call, the 5 Pillars of Islam:
1. Testimony of Faith (Islamic Knowledge)
2. Almsgiving/Zakah (Islamic culture)
3. Fasting/Sawm (Islamic Art/Architecture)
4. Prayer/Solat (Ancestor Veneration)
5. Pilgrimage/Haji (Umma)
The Islamic Art World:
As mentioned before, the, Islamic Art World, is one, that is hard (and difficult too), to categorize, and even, characterize [due mainly, to it, being, of the Baroque, nature (as in, rather, individual)]. In many ways, the, Islamic Art World, should not, be, confused, with, the Egyptian Art World (seen, in the, Middle East), or even, Art movements, like, the Arabe Art movement [the fusion, of Islamic Art, and, European Art].
Islamic Art, is much, older, than that, and going back, to, the Byzantine Era, and perhaps, with, Music too, is, best represented, by, the various Church Hymns, heard today. It is really, a rather, hard, Art World, to characterize, but, a few examples, will be, given, to attempt, to show, not only, its existence, but also, its rather, Individual nature (making it, in some ways, a Heritage, of sorts) [for instance, Church Hymns, are written, by, individual Priests, and not, by the Church].
You have,
1. Islamic Poetry: Most famous perhaps, being, the works, of, Islamic Mystic, Kabir.
2. Islamic Art: Most famous being, Paintings, associated, with, the Byzantine Era.
3. Islamic Music: A rather wide area, with, one end, consisting, of, Church Hymns (and Chants too), and on, the other hand, various works, on, String Instruments, resembling, the Guitar (which too, has, its origins, in, the Islamic World).
4. Islamic Cuisine: Rather, too famous, but perhaps, too, its often, association, with, the discovery, of, Coffee.
5. Islamic Calligraphy.
6. Islamic Dance: the most famous, perhaps, being, Egyptian Belly dancing.
In all, an Art World, very much, in, existence, but rather, hard too, to, categorize, due, to its, rather, Individual nature.
A rather dynamic Art World, in nature too, as it very much, allows, for the borrowing, of various, principles, from, other Art movements [in many ways, influenced in all, by, Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, European and even, North African cultures]. It is also, rather, adaptable, to other, cultures (making, for the fast, spread, of the Islamic world), and some, of the, better examples (popularly known), include, some, of the music, of Prince (the Gold song), and even, the dancing (and music), of both, MC Hammer, and Ludacris (who are really too, from, the Islamic world) [Princes' music, appears, to be heavily, influenced, by, Islamic Spain, while, Hammers dancing, and Ludacris' too, also, very much, originate, from, Islamic Spain] [Islamic Spain, was, a rather, wild world, and, in many ways, helped forment, the, division, between, the Islamic world, and, what some call, Christendom] [Former Rap act, Bell Biv Devoe, also, have, their roots, in, the Islamic world, and, associated, with a group, of people, known, as the Zanj (today though, whose, history, has been rewritten, by, the Western world, as, the history, of, slavery, in the Islamic world)].
